Dubbed a stone frigate, HMCS Radisson is a land-based naval training establishment crewed by part-time sailors and also serves as a local recruitment centre for the Canadian Forces Naval Reserve.

[1] HMCS Radisson is named after 17th century explorer Pierre Esprit Radisson who conducted explorations and participated in fur trades using a canoe within the sandy hills of what is now known as Three Rivers (Trois-Rivières).

HMCS Radisson was established in 1986 in an effort to expand the presence of the Royal Canadian Navy in Quebec.

The NRD was first located at the Trois-Rivières post office and later moved to the former d'Youville School in 1987.

In 1992 the unit finally moved to its new facility on Saint-Cristophe Island, where it stands today.